damp?

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Fire_Fox wrote: »

So the chimney breast is still in place, but the opening is no longer? Is there an air brick or plastic air vent? If so is this open/ the airflow not impeded by furniture? Where is the damp in your bedroom, another blocked chimney breast? Are you ventilating all the bedrooms on a daily basis? As already stated do not underestimate the amount of water vapour we breathe out at night.

dumb question of the day - what is an air brick vent? there isnt anything on the chimney wall? its difficult to explain but the chimney breast is half in my DD room and half in mine - all damp is on the breast.

mariaadam

Hi there!

I work in an estate agent and the lettings team see this time and time again. Its really hard work if your landlord wont sort it out and unfortunately the only thing to do is say that you are going to move out. This usually gets them moving! If you dont want to go that far then put it in writing to them, explain whats happening and the detrimental effect it could be having on your health. If no reply then send another saying that you need to renegotiate rent per month....again, this usually gets them moving!
Hope this helps!

Fire_Fox

mommyme wrote: »

dumb question of the day - what is an air brick vent? there isnt anything on the chimney wall? its difficult to explain but the chimney breast is half in my DD room and half in mine - all damp is on the breast.

http://pgwake.tradesandcrafts.co.uk/diary/?p=584
Air brick is the brick coloured thing, plastic vent is the white brick shaped thing - you can see both have holes/ slots in to allow airflow and reduce damp.

tbs624

mariaadam wrote: »

I work in an estate agent and the lettings team see this time and time again. Its really hard work if your landlord wont sort it out and unfortunately the only thing to do is say that you are going to move out. This usually gets them moving! If you dont want to go that far then put it in writing to them, explain whats happening and the detrimental effect it could be having on your health. If no reply then send another saying that you need to renegotiate rent per month....again, this usually gets them moving!
Hope this helps!

my highlighting <sigh> Standard EA/LA twaddle.

The T may still be within a Fixed Term, in which case they cannot simply move out because of damp/repairs issues. Even if there was a break clause, or the tenancy was running under a stat periodic, why on earth should the T have to go to the expense of moving out, paying new credit check/tenancy agreement fees etc because an idle LA and/or a dozy LL cannot be bothered to meet their legal obligations in return for the rent being handed over every month?

The LL has legal "repairing obligations" : if a T notifies the LL/LA in writing it is a foolish LA/LL who refuses to address the issue.

You can apply to the local Council's private sector rental office/ env health office to have the property assessed under HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) and they can instruct the LL to deal with the problems or get the work done and pursue the LL for the costs of doing so.

OP - take photos and notify the issue *in writing* to the LL and the LA.Keep a copy yourself. You have to act in a "tenant like manner" by doing what *you* can to keep condensation issues at bay (keeping property aired/heated, using lids on pans when cooking, opening windows after showering etc) but you say "where the chimney used to be" and then later "the chimney is ( I believe) blocked up".

Couple of things there to discuss with LA/LL - many people don't realise that chimneys play a vital part in keeping a property ventilated. If the chimney is blocked, they need to get ventilation in place. If the chimney has been removed and the area replastered, the plasterers should have used specific measures to deal with tar residues etc from burning wood/coal which can be drawn through the plaster.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

sorry for the delay - There is a vent in DD room but not one in mine. havent been able to get through to LL yet

Fire_Fox

You should write to the landlord by recorded delivery if you have any complaints about the property. If the damp is a lifestyle issue you may be charged for any mould damage out of your deposit so you may need this paper trail in case of a dispute being raised with the deposit protection scheme.